Learning to Speak Chinese – How to Use ‘De’ (Possession, One, That or Who)

的 【de】can mean possession,such as my student, his book, their pencils, etc. 的 【de】can be ignored for very close persons, such as family and lover but it can’t be ignored for the proper nouns.

When 的【de】means “one” the object can be specified by place the noun at the end of the phrase. 的【de】can be used to assert the sentence. It can act as a linking word between common noun/verb/adjective and 时候 【shíhòu】. You can also learn how to use 得【de】Construction.

Personal pronouns in Chinese

a. Singular

I = 我 【wǒ】

You = 你 【nǐ】

You (formal) = 您 【nín】

He = 他 【tā】

She = 她 【tā】

It = 它 【tā】

b. Plural

We = 我们 【wǒmén】

You = 你们 【nǐmén】

You (formal) = 您们 【nínmén】

They = 他们 【tāmén】is used for male, male and female or sometimes for animal.

This post is part of the series: Learn Chinese Word 的【de】and 得【de】

Chinese beginners or foreigners often confuse between 的【de】and 得【de】. 的【de】can mean possession, one, that or who. It can act as a linking word between a common noun, verb or adjective and 时候【shíhòu】. 得【de】construction is generally used when you want to say how someone usually does something.